Sunday, January 7, 2018

From Attrition to Recompense



Psalm 24:1

The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world,
and they that dwell therein. KJV



Here's another re-post. I believe the first time this message was posted was merely an introduction  to  the season  we've just entered as 2018 is now upon us.  I share this after an extended time of much difficulty and hardship, but I know God is faithful and I fully believe what God has promised He is well able to perform, thus the reason for this re-post. 

I believe we're entering into God's Season full on, a time of His delights coming to pass.  Though it may take some time for it to begin to manifest, fear not because it's only the beginning of the season....and seasons do last more than a few days.  I trust God to help us actively receive by faith all  He desires to bring to pass for us individually, as well as our families, churches, and our countries. Yes LORD, have Your way in our hearts and lives!



 Saturday, September 23, 217
A New Season Is Here!                                                                  

I participate in a daily national prayer call for the United States, our leaders, as well as national and world-wide events and the Body of Christ.   After the call the morning of September 21, I was walking about wondering about everything which concerns my immediate family.  As I was just "wondering before the LORD" about several very important situations and how things might work out, I heard a familiar voice from within say, " It's coming to an end."   Hmm, this really made me wonder especially since He said it twice, but I must say I was puzzled and surprised by this answer. I finally asked Him what was coming to an end.  Shortly I heard His response even in the midst of all the activity occurring in my home. "Attrition."  And again, "Attrition."  I knew I'd have to look up the word in order to grasp its fullest meaning because I understood this was very important.  Even as I'm writing this I see something new in this exchange.  Jesus rarely said something 2 times and when He did, it was because of the great importance associated with its meaning.  Wow! This is a "selah" moment for me, my goodness! *(I really do need to stop and consider, and emphasize the importance of this! )  

Back to the original thought.  After I heard the words, I stayed busy with the required activities I was involved in at the moment, but upon finishing those responsibilities I was reminded I needed to look up attrition which was a small miracle in itself considering the flurry of activity that was underway inside and outside my home.  I did look it up, but it's necessary to include the following information about the timing of it since the evening of September 21 is the first day of Rosh Hashanah on God's calendar.  Here's a short definition.
Most of us think of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, as a very serious day—the day on which we proclaim G‑d as King of the universe as He sits in judgment of the world and its inhabitants. And yet, Rosh Hashanah is also a joyous holiday, since we have faith that G‑d will grant us a sweet new year. These two ideas are expressed in the different laws and customs of Rosh Hashanah.
Now the definition of attrition:

at·tri·tion
əˈtriSH(ə)n/
noun
  1. 1.

    the action or process of gradually reducing the strength or effectiveness of someone or something through sustained attack or pressure.

    "the council is trying to wear down the opposition by attrition"

    synonyms:wearing down, wearing away, weakening, debilitation, enfeebling, sapping, attenuation
    gradual loss
    "the battle would result in further attrition of their already lame naval force"






  2. 2.
    (in scholastic theology) sorrow, but not contrition, for sin.


I have such confidence in this Word from The LORD for several reasons.  One, He initiated it.  Two, the timing of it, which is during His appointed Feast, the Jewish New Year.  For us, His children who have experienced sustained opposition over a long period, it is His timing for it to come to and end. He is judging our enemies and bringing us out into a new season of His protection, strength and recovery in every area. I believe we've entered a new season of being restored and renewed in strength  to overcome in every area as He goes before us in this new day.  What else can it mean when He said twice, "It's coming to and end."  Add to that the answer to my question of "what's coming to an end" and His responding twice, "Attrition."    Put that together with what takes place in this appointed feast of Rosh Hashanah and we have His direct intervention in our lives to overcome our personal enemies as well as to begin  to recover and prosper! I have to say I am  excited over this Word and I release my faith in it and I RECEIVE it now! This is God doing what He does when His children unify and cry out to Him, and at the appointed time He always acts!  

*Now, concerning Him saying these things twice to me. I've understood that when Jesus said something twice like verily, verily, or said a persons name such as Martha, Martha, He was emphasizing the importance of  what He was going to speak.  After my "light coming on moment" I knew I needed to look it up and find out more.   Here's a portion of what got Questions?org has to say in part about verily, verily or truly, truly:
..when we read Jesus' words and see statements beginning with "verily," "truly," or some variation, we should recall the deeper meaning. Those claims are not only Jesus' opinion on the truth. Those are ideas about which He has intimate, personal, firsthand knowledge.
And concerning His repeating names according to Bible.org  :
We might miss the strength of these statements unless we realize that repeating a person’s name is a Hebrew expression of intimacy....when God encourages Jacob in his old age to take the trip to Egypt, He says, “Jacob, Jacob”...When Jesus confronted Martha, when He warned Peter, and when He wept over Jerusalem—in each case we find the word repeated for intimacy’s sake...
Because of not only the greater understanding concerning Jesus' use of speaking a word twice, it confirms as well, the certainty of the Word He spoke to me twice, but also how important it is to Him for us to know His heart in this matter.  Out of His great LOVE for us He spoke (and is speaking)  a word which He has intimate, personal, and firsthand knowledge of.

I close this with a thankful heart for the privilege of being enabled to share this with great confidence in His overwhelming  desire and ability to bring this word to pass for all of us who will receive for ourselves and families what He desires to do in this new season.  Let's follow Him and do what He instructs us to do and it will surely come to pass!



He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?


*Micah 6:8 

*Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.A

Saturday, December 16, 2017

Revisiting Roses and Peonies

Psalm 24:1

The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world,
and they that dwell therein. KJV



While shopping last week I saw some lovely roses at the checkout counter and just couldn't leave them behind.  They graced my sisters breakfast table until this morning when  I knew it was time to let them go.  As is my usual practice, I removed the heads from the stems so they could be tossed into the wind, set free to return from whence they came While removing the heads something surprising occurred-but a delightful surprise indeed especially since this was only the second time I saw something similar.  The  following snapshot of what I saw will be an excellent introduction to a re-post from this blog.  I hope you'll enjoy it!



Saturday, February 11, 2017



A Rose is a Rose is a Rose, Unless...


Today I'm sharing part of an email I sent to my daughters recently.  I was telling them about how I'd changed the appearance of this website, and in part, why I used something so *frilly [see picture below] which is not how I normally design or arrange things.  Well, sometimes I do incorporate some girly frills, but not nearly as much as you see here now.  Truthfully, it makes me happy each time I see it!  And the reason for it was told to my girls in the email which I'm now sharing with you.
...it looks a bit frilly, but many of those flowers in the background are peonies.  They're the ones that God showed me one day while out in the backyard when I took the head off a rose.  I was doing this because it was one of the most beautiful roses I'd seen, and because it had lived it's life fully and was at the point of wilting which I couldn't bear to see.  It was large so when I pulled it off the stem so I could toss it up into the wind allowing it to return to the earth,  I noticed how it looked in my hand and was amazed! All I could see was a handful of one of the most beautiful flowers I'd ever seen!  It was an upside down rose in full bloom!  I remembered I'd seen flowers before that looked just like this one, but I didn't know what they were called.  After some research  I discovered they were peonies and also grew from a bush as roses do.  While I was in the backyard in a state of awe, I thanked God for allowing me to see it and immediately, He said something like this to me,  "I could see the rose from the bottom as well as the top when I created it, so I made them both."  The experience was so wonderful!  I can't see a peony to this day without remembering it.  And He showed me this because.....He's good and He loves me as He loves all His children.  And He loves to show His children who He is and what He's like as we give Him the opportunity!  His creative ways are matchless!  
Times and seasons change, and the freedom to occasionally share on a more intimate level seems to have come with it, and I like that pretty much.  Maybe it's because God wants to share with everyone on a more intimate level.  He's very willing.   It depends on if we're willing or not.  And He probably won't reveal secrets to you in the same way He does to me, because He knows your unique personality and what you enjoy.  Sharing about the rose with me is so part of how I'm put together.  All I can say is how much I thoroughly enjoy knowing this:  A rose is a rose is a rose unless, of coarse,  it's turned up-side-down and becomes a peony!

P.S.
It probably won't do you any good to try to see a peony in just the same way as I saw it.  I actually tried a couple of times and it didn't work!

*Added April 21, 2017

Since you can no longer see the peonies because I changed the blog background, I'm uploading a picture of what the previous background looked like.





He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?


*Micah 6:8 

*Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.


  

Monday, December 11, 2017

Traversing The Unknown



Psalm 24:1

The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world,
and they that dwell therein. KJV


If you're in a season of traversing the unknown as I am, you'd probably like and be BLESSED by Joel Osteen's video, Step In To The Unknown.   I trust whatever season you're in this will be a Blessing.

For all of you who celebrate Christmas as I do in acknowledging Jesus, I say a hearty "Merry Christmas to you and yours!", but whatever you celebrate during this time I trust all will be well with you and your household and wish you a lovely holiday!



My first Christmas Season in Virginia in 51 years.






He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?


*Micah 6:8 

*Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.



Monday, November 13, 2017

Derek Prince: Sharing God's Pleasures


Psalm 24:1

The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world,
and they that dwell therein. KJV




I decided to receive this gift today. It's funny how much the realization of a choice to receive something you didn't really know was available to you can change your life. I'm expecting this choice, this decision to accept God's Word, to Bless me and my household in ways we couldn't receive before. After all, He's not only Author and Finisher of our Faith, He's that all important Developer of it as well.

I recommend clicking on  the link available below to listen to Derek's original audio--it made a powerful difference to me .



    The following devotional is used by permission from Derek Prince Ministries.




templatemast


November 6, 2017

Sharing God’s Pleasures

Psalm 36:7–8
How precious is Thy lovingkindness, O God! The children of men take refuge in the shadow of Thy wings. They feast on the abundance of Thy house and Thou dost give them to drink of the river of Thy delights.     NASB, NIV

    That, to me, is the most beautiful picture of God’s goodness. First of all, we turn to Him out of our need. We come to Him for refuge because we’re oppressed, because we cannot handle our problems. We take refuge in the shadow of His wings, but when we get in there under the shadow of His wings, then we discover that He’s provided much more for us than mere refuge. He’s provided a feast. He’s provided abundance. We feast on the abundance of His house, and not only that, but He gives us to drink of the river of His delights. To me, that’s staggering! God does not give us to drink of a river of our own delights, but of His delights. He shares with us the things that delight Him.

    You see, there are so many things that we would naturally take pleasure in that are harmful. For instance, take the practice of smoking. Many people find great pleasure in smoking, but unfortunately we all know today it’s extremely harmful. It’s a potential cause of cancer. The difference with God’s pleasures is they are never harmful, and God wants to share with us His pleasures. He wants to give us to drink of the river of His pleasures, and not only are they pleasant but they are beneficial. They’re never harmful.
—Derek Prince

To listen to Derek's original audio on our website click here.





He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?


*Micah 6:8 

*Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Monday, October 23, 2017

Another Jewel from Derek Prince's Legacy

Psalm 24:1

The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world,
and they that dwell therein. KJV



Presented in his unique, but practical style, Derek share's a word of wisdom concerning the scripture which invites all to taste and see that the LORD is good. 


    The following devotional is used by permission from Derek Prince Ministries.



templatemast


October 23, 2017

Taste and See

Psalm 34:8
Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.     NIV

     Notice that first word, taste: “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” You realize, of course, that we are endowed with five physical senses: sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste. What is it that’s distinctive about the sense of taste? I’ll tell you one distinctive feature of taste. If we see something, it’s external to us. If we hear something, it’s external. If we touch something, it’s still outside us. If we smell something, it may be still far from us. But there’s one thing about taste: when we taste something, we take it right into us and it becomes part of us. And I believe that’s why the Lord challenges us to “Taste and see.” Don’t let the Lord remain external, don’t let Him remain something outside of you.

     Paul says in the New Testament, “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” You’ll never really have that hope of glory until you’ve actually tasted of the Lord, till you’ve taken Him within you, and then you’ll know for sure He is good. Not because the preacher says it, not because the radio evangelist declares it, but because you’ve proved it in your experience, you’ve tasted, you’ve invited the Lord to come in and be an integral part of your life. And when you do that, you’ll know He’s good.
—Derek Prince

To listen to Derek's original audio on our website click here.
fb-icon     tw-icon     yt-icon




He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?


*Micah 6:8 

*Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Trusting



Psalm 24:1

The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world,
and they that dwell therein. KJV



In this flurry of activity- packing and all that goes with it- I'm trusting the excellency of the glory of His power one day at a time.  Hopefully by next week-end I will be in Virginia somewhere!  And since this is on my mind I decided to share it with you. 

2 Corinthians 4:6-7 (KJV)

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.


He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?


*Micah 6:8 

*Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.



Saturday, September 23, 2017

A New Season Is Here!



Psalm 24:1

The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world,
and they that dwell therein. KJV




I participate in a daily national prayer call for the United States, our leaders, as well as national and world-wide events and the Body of Christ.   After the call the morning of September 21, I was walking about wondering about everything which concerns my immediate family.  As I was just "wondering before the LORD" about several very important situations and how things might work out, I heard a familiar voice from within say, " It's coming to an end."   Hmm, this really made me wonder especially since He said it twice, but I must say I was puzzled and surprised by this answer. I finally asked Him what was coming to an end.  Shortly I heard His response even in the midst of all the activity occurring in my home. "Attrition."  And again, "Attrition."  I knew I'd have to look up the word in order to grasp its fullest meaning because I understood this was very important.  Even as I'm writing this I see something new in this exchange.  Jesus rarely said something 2 times and when He did, it was because of the great importance associated with its meaning.  Wow! This is a "selah" moment for me, my goodness! *(I really do need to stop and consider, and emphasize the importance of this! )  

Back to the original thought.  After I heard the words, I stayed busy with the required activities I was involved in at the moment, but upon finishing those responsibilities I was reminded I needed to look up attrition which was a small miracle in itself considering the flurry of activity that was underway inside and outside my home.  I did look it up, but it's necessary to include the following information about the timing of it since the evening of September 21 is the first day of Rosh Hashanah on God's calendar.  Here's a short definition.
Most of us think of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, as a very serious day—the day on which we proclaim G‑d as King of the universe as He sits in judgment of the world and its inhabitants. And yet, Rosh Hashanah is also a joyous holiday, since we have faith that G‑d will grant us a sweet new year. These two ideas are expressed in the different laws and customs of Rosh Hashanah.
Now the definition of attrition:

at·tri·tion
əˈtriSH(ə)n/
noun
  1. 1.

    the action or process of gradually reducing the strength or effectiveness of someone or something through sustained attack or pressure.

    "the council is trying to wear down the opposition by attrition"

    synonyms:wearing down, wearing away, weakening, debilitation, enfeebling, sapping, attenuation
    gradual loss
    "the battle would result in further attrition of their already lame naval force"






  2. 2.
    (in scholastic theology) sorrow, but not contrition, for sin.


I have such confidence in this Word from The LORD for several reasons.  One, He initiated it.  Two, the timing of it, which is during His appointed Feast, the Jewish New Year.  For us, His children who have experienced sustained opposition over a long period, it is His timing for it to come to and end. He is judging our enemies and bringing us out into a new season of His protection, strength and recovery in every area. I believe we've entered a new season of being restored and renewed in strength  to overcome in every area as He goes before us in this new day.  What else can it mean when He said twice, "It's coming to and end."  Add to that the answer to my question of "what's coming to an end" and His responding twice, "Attrition."    Put that together with what takes place in this appointed feast of Rosh Hashanah and we have His direct intervention in our lives to overcome our personal enemies as well as to begin begin to recover and prosper! I have to say I am  excited over this Word and I release my faith in it and I RECEIVE it now! This is God doing what He does when His children unify and cry out to Him, and at the appointed time He always acts!  

*Now, concerning Him saying these things twice to me. I've understood that when Jesus said something twice like verily, verily, or said a persons name such as Martha, Martha, He was emphasizing the importance of  what He was going to speak.  After my "light coming on moment" I knew I needed to look it up and find out more.   Here's a portion of what got Questions?org has to say in part about verily, verily or truly, truly:
..when we read Jesus' words and see statements beginning with "verily," "truly," or some variation, we should recall the deeper meaning. Those claims are not only Jesus' opinion on the truth. Those are ideas about which He has intimate, personal, firsthand knowledge.
And concerning His repeating names according to Bible.org  :
We might miss the strength of these statements unless we realize that repeating a person’s name is a Hebrew expression of intimacy....when God encourages Jacob in his old age to take the trip to Egypt, He says, “Jacob, Jacob”...When Jesus confronted Martha, when He warned Peter, and when He wept over Jerusalem—in each case we find the word repeated for intimacy’s sake...
Because of not only the greater understanding concerning Jesus' use of speaking a word twice, it confirms as well, the certainty of the Word He spoke to me twice, but also how important it is to Him for us to know His heart in this matter.  Out of His great LOVE for us He spoke (and is speaking)  a word which He has intimate, personal, and firsthand knowledge of.

I close this with a thankful heart for the privilege of being enabled to share this with great confidence in His overwhelming  desire and ability to bring this word to pass for all of us who will receive for ourselves and families what He desires to do in this new season.  Let's follow Him and do what He instructs us to do and it will surely come to pass!


He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?


*Micah 6:8 

*Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.